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On day three of the second Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, the Indian spinners, including Ravindra Jadeja blew away the highly accomplished New Zealand batting lineup for 255 runs in their second innings. Veteran spinner Ravindra Jadeja picked up three wickets in the opening hour for India, Washington Sundar took four wickets while R Ashwin claimed two to dismantle the Kiwis at the score of 255 early on Day 3 of the ongoing Test in Pune.
With this, the visitors took a considerable 358-run lead with India needing 359 runs to win the second Test and level the series 1-1 and save them from their first-ever series defeat against the Kiwis since 2012.
India need 359 runs to win second Test against New Zealand
For the unversed, after winning the toss, New Zealand captain Tom Latham decided to bat first. On the back of Devon Conway’s 141-ball 76 and a half-century (65 off 105) from Rachin Ravindra, New Zealand posted 259 runs in their first innings. Washington Sundar, who made his return in India whites, shone with the ball as he registered his best figures of 7/59 in 23.1 overs, while R Ashwin picked up three wickets, conceding 64 runs in his 24-over spell in the first innings. Meanwhile, the Indian batting lineup once again fell like a pack of cards as they were bundled out for 156 in 45.3 overs, courtesy Mitchell Santner finishing with the figures of 7/53 in 19.3 overs.
The Kiwis continued their dominating run from the first Test in Bengaluru over the hosts as they put up a 301-run lead at Stumps on Day 2 and then added 57 runs to their overnight score to put up 358 runs on the board. While Tom Latham led from the front, playing a captain’s knock with his 133-ball 86, he got a support from Tom Bundell (41 off 82) and Glenn Phillips (48* off 82).
After several missed opportunities from the Indian side on Day 2, the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin put up a strong performance as they restricted the Kiwis. With a massive target set by the Kiwis of 359 runs, it is to be seen if India will be able to chase the total, making it just the second instance that India has successfully chased the 300-plus runs target at home.
